Familial diffuse polyposis of the colon and rectum

Summary and Conclusions A study is reported of three family groups afflicted with familial polyposis of the colon and observed over periods varying from ten to 20 years. Two of the groups are related to each other. Cases have been presented which reveal great variation in the severity of the disease as shown by the rate of multiplication of polyps and the rate of their growth in size. Differential diagnosis between familial diffuse polyposis of mild degree and simple or segmental polyposis is difficult and often can be determined only by careful follow up examinations. Various members of these three groups have been observed from childhood into adulthood and repeatedly found to be free of the disease. Can it be deduced from this limited study that familial diffuse polyposis of the colon usually can be identified before the patient has reached the age of 15 years? In those individuals who have a severe form of the disease it should be possible to discover it much earlier in life. Can we conclude that it is unusual for one to have the disease in such a mild form that it cannot be identified at that time?